Former Longhorns cornerbacks coach Jay Valai was expected to join the University of Houston in the same role.
On Monday, reports surfaced he had left the Cougar’s coaching staff after only 12 days with the program. Valai is accepting a position with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The news was reported by Mark Berman of FOX 26 in Houston via Twitter.
Jay Valai, who recently joined @UHCougarFB as cornerbacks coach after having been at Texas, has left UH to join the staff with the Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) according to a college football source.
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) February 1, 2021
Valai was well-respected as a coach and recruiter at Texas in 2020 under former head coach Tom Herman and defensive coordinator Chris Ash. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Urban Meyer chose to hire Ash, therefore Valai was not among the Longhorn coaches who were retained under new head coach Steve Sarkisian. Texas instead hired former Fighting Irish safeties and passing game coordinator Terry Joseph.
The Euless native joined the Cougars staff on Jan. 20 in the same role until he shifted gears and chose to head to the NFL. It’s unclear at this time what his role will be with the Eagles and/or whom will fill the sudden vacancy at Houston.